Toothbrush holder



Jarl- 8, 1952 G. R. cl-:DARLEAF TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Filed Jan. 3l. 1947 EGA- Fiel

` fmrenr n By Wlww WL MM imi/W4 Patented Jan. 8, 1,5952g '.IOOTHBRUSH HOLDER I RaCedarleaf, Rockford, Ill., assignorto vGust E. Lindstrom, Rockford, Ill.

Application January 31, 1947, Serial No. 725,577 l 1 This invention relates to tooth brush holders and more particularly to a holder of the type adapted to support a plurality of tooth brushes. I A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved holder of the above character which is simple and sturdy in construction, which is rugged and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder of the above character that is adapted to efficiently utilize waste space under a small shelf, such as a glass shelf secured to a Wall in a bathroom adjacent a wash basin.

A still further object of the invention is to provide `a tooth brush holder` of the above character which can be quicklyand conveniently clamped to shelves of dierent thicknesses and which supports tooth brushes so that neither the holder nor the supported tooth brushes obstruct or interfere with the accessibility of the respective shelf.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tooth brush holder of the above'character that can. be readily and easily cleaned so that it can be maintained in a sanitary condition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tooth brush holder embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a stamping from which the holder is formed.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the holder shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the holder in a clamped position with respect to a relatively thin shelf.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the holder in a clamped position with respect to a thicker shelf than shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a View showing the holder ln a clamped position with respect to a glass shelf having a beaded forward edge.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing the holder in a clamped position and supporting a plurality of brushes.

Referring now to the drawings the invention is shown embodied in a tooth brush holder formed from a single piece of flat metal comprising a body I0 secured to a shelf I I and having a plurality of hooks I2 arranged for suspending tooth brushes I3. In the past, tooth brush holders that have been constructed to be clamped on the shelf 10mm. (c1. 211-66) 2 II have been of a type that suspends the brushes I3 from the forward edge of the shelf I I or supports the brushes so that the heads of the brushes and the bristles extend up past the edge of the shelf. Thus, it is apparent that tooth brushes held in this manner are subject to being accidentally dropped to the floor which, of course,

is unsanitary, or in the case where the head and bristles extend up past the forward edge' of the shelf, the head and bristles form an obstruction that interferes with vthe accessibility of the shelf.

Accordingly, my invention is concernedwith providing a holder that is adapted to be supported by the shelf II and arranged so as to support the vbrushes I3 so as not to interfere with the accessibility of the contents, such as bottles, lotion jars, and similar items, usually found on the shelf II of this character. plates a holder having hooks I2 arranged so that the tooth brushes I3 are suspended beneath the shelf II and rearwardly of the forward edge, thereof.V In the present instance the hooks I2 are formed by generally L-shaped members I9, comprising a stem portionand'. a toe portion, integral with and depending from the edges of body IU. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5 the toes 26 of the L-shaped members are fashioned so as to be inclined slightly upwardly toward the body Iii such that the tooth brushes I3 must be raised bodily before they can be removed from the hooks l2. This construction prevents accidental displacement of the tooth brushes I3. The'hooks I2 open toward the forward edge of the shelf I thereby positioning the toes 20 of the hooks I 2 so that the toes 2U can be conveniently inserted in the holes formed in the handles of the tooth brushes I3.

In the present embodiment of the invention the body I0 is shaped to form a clamping member having self-adjusting jaws 2| and 22 arranged to secure the holder to the shelf I I such that the suspending hooks I2 are on the underside thereof. As shown in Fig. 5 the jaw 2| is formed by a bottom portion 23 of the body and the jaw 22 is formed by an elongated arm 25 overlying the bottom 23. At one end the bottom 23 and the arm 24 are held in a spaced relation by a front 25 integral with both the bottom 23 and the arm 24. At the opposite end (see Fig. 3), the bottom 23 and arm 24 converge toward each other. The bottom and the arm are formed from resilient material so that when the jaws 2i and 22 engage opposite sides of the shelf I I the holder is automatically secured in position. It is apparent with this clamp construction that the Thus, it contemstamping process.

stamping. In this marmer, the L-shaped mern.

bers of an adjacent stamping are formed between the L-shaped members of the first stamping sov `as to minimize waste material inherent, in a,

To form the holder, it is a simple matter of bending the hashaped members I9 in one direction at substantially 'right angles relative to the body ofthe stamping and then 1 f bending the body in the opposite direction to form the front 25.. and then. reverselv on. itself. as shown in ig. y

It is obvious that the dimensions ot the front 25 Ymay be varied. is. accordance with. the. thick.- ness of the shelf I I, with which the holder is gq.- ine. lo be used- .inasmuch as onlathe. simolest forming operations are. utilized, il. will be observed. that 'this construction. provides a tooth. bresil holder that canine'l readily and easily gleaned and Washed since there are no@ small 'cracks er. erevices o formed, in the shaping. of the holder and` all4 the surfaces. are smooth f To install the holder it is only necessary to. spread the jaws` 2I ad@ 22 a,` s uillcient` distance so that `they sli-p over theforward edgevfyof the shelf II. .The holder is then pushed bodily rearwardly with resseot. tothe forward. edgeof. vthe shelf astilthc edge oi the. sheli engages the from 25.

It apparent .that this.. consxtuotion provides a tooth brush holder that can. loe quickly and. easily 'installed and that is simple and. inexpen-L sive to. make. It alsol formsa holder for tooth; brushes that is positioned. beneath a shelf th ere..

4 by utilizing space that is normally not used and also provides a tooth brush holder that supports brushes so that neither the holder nor the brushes obstruct or interfere with the accessibility of the shelf.

I claim:

A tooth brush holder adapted to be mounted on the forward edge of a shelf, comprising a single elongated piece. 0,1 sheet metal stamped to provide a body portionV and tooth brush suspension hooks spaced alternately in staggered relation along the extreme opposite sides of the bQdY., 34@ body being bent back upon itself to form spaced upper and lower elongated narrow portions shaped to. extend rearwardly from the forward edgefof the shelf a substantial distance to engage the @pand bottom surfaces thereof and forming "shelfgripping jaws, each said hook being bent to depend from the extreme sides of the lower portion and being formed with a forwarclly. esteodioaupwarellr inclined. toe portion. said hooks at each Side. keine spaced. apart. alena that side. and. said boor beinesutcentlv wide to. space apart.. the hooks. at. the.- respective sides to permit. simultaneous suspension of, a teeth. brush. on. each oi-saiol.. hooks.

GQBDQN 3,.

REFERENCES QHED The. following references are 015y record in the` file of this patent:-

UNITED STATES... E'AIENTIS. 

